Fenerbahce out amid fixing probe

ISTANBUL -- Turkish champion Fenerbahce was removed from the Champions League because of an ongoing match-fixing investigation and replaced by runner-up Trabzonspor.

Turkey's Football Federation said it withdrew Fenerbahce on the eve of the group-stage after holding emergency meetings Wednesday. Fenerbahce is suspected of fixing matches to win the title last season.

Trabzonspor finished second in the league last year but had been eliminated by Benfica in Champions League qualifying and entered into a playoff for the Europa League. Its opponent in the playoff, Athletic Bilbao, will be given a direct entry into the second-tier competition.

Fenerbahce's removal comes a day before it was to take its place among 32 elite European clubs in the group stage draw being conducted in Monaco.